Abstract: Methods and systems forming biocompatible materials are disclosed herein. Forming a biocompatible material may include contacting a liquid, having a linking material, with an adjoining material having embedded therein a nucleating material that causes the linking material to nucleate and grow into the liquid. After a time sufficient to cause the linking material to grow substantially from the nucleating material into a space occupied by the liquid, the liquid may be solidified to form a solid such that the linking material secures the solid to the adjoining material.

Abstract: An extracellular matrix (ECM)-based scaffold suitable for artificial skin as well as other structures can be formed using a bioreactor fabricated with a pattern that introduces desired structural features, on the microscale and/or nanoscale, to ECM-precursors gelled in the bioreactor. The bioreactor can produce a finely patterned scaffold—over clinically relevant size scales—sufficiently robust for routine handling. Preformed ECM-based scaffolds can also have microscale and/or nano-scale structural features introduced into a surface thereof. ECM-based scaffolds may be formed with well-defined structural features via microetching and/or remodeling via ‘contact degradation.’ A surface-activated pattern can be used to degrade the ECM-based scaffold at contact regions between the pattern and the ECM. The produced ECM-based scaffolds can have structures of dimensions conducive to host tissue ingrowth while preserving the fibrous structure and ligand density of natural ECMs.

Abstract: An extracellular matrix (ECM)-based scaffold suitable for artificial skin as well as other structures can be formed using a bioreactor fabricated with a pattern that introduces desired structural features, on the microscale and/or nanoscale, to ECM-precursors gelled in the bioreactor. The bioreactor can produce a finely patterned scaffold—over clinically relevant size scales—sufficiently robust for routine handling. Preformed ECM-based scaffolds can also have microscale and/or nano-scale structural features introduced into a surface thereof. ECM-based scaffolds may be formed with well-defined structural features via microetching and/or remodeling via ‘contact degradation.’ A surface-activated pattern can be used to degrade the ECM-based scaffold at contact regions between the pattern and the ECM. The produced ECM-based scaffolds can have structures of dimensions conducive to host tissue ingrowth while preserving the fibrous structure and ligand density of natural ECMs.

Abstract: Methods and systems forming biocompatible materials are disclosed herein. Forming a biocompatible material may include contacting a liquid, having a linking material, with an adjoining material having embedded therein a nucleating material that causes the linking material to nucleate and grow into the liquid. After a time sufficient to cause the linking material to grow substantially from the nucleating material into a space occupied by the liquid, the liquid may be solidified to form a solid such that the linking material secures the solid to the adjoining material.